Lecture Notes: Swamp Family and the National Museum of the American Indian

Introduction

• Event at the National Museum of the American Indian.
• Welcome to the Swamp family: Jake, Judy, and Skahandowane.
• Jake Swamp served in the Mohawk Nation Council for nearly 40 years.
• Family founded the Tree of Peace Society, an international NGO.

The Haudenosaunee (Six Nations)

• Comprises Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Tuscarora, Cayuga, and Seneca.
• Approximately 100,000 people residing in 17 reservations or territories.
• Known for the Great Law of Peace, an intellectual tradition and philosophy.

Event Highlights

• Celebration of mounting the Mohawk Chiefs' Custod (Headdress of Honor) at the museum.
• Skahindowane Swamp, artist and faith keeper, involved in the display.
• Reflects Longhouse culture and teachings.

Key Teachings and Symbols

• Ganohola Donsla (Giving of Thanks): Central to Haudenosaunee teachings.
• Longhouse Symbolism: Represents unity; no walls or roofs, the sky as a roof, the ground as the floor.
• Chief's Headdress (Gostoa): Symbolic of peace; incorporates dome symbolism and feathers.

The Tree of Peace

• Symbolizes everlasting peace with four roots spreading peace to four directions.
• Jake Swamp planted a white pine near the Vietnam Memorial Wall as a symbol of peace.
• Conflict tools buried under the roots symbolize discarding weapons of war.

Women's Role in Leadership

• Women select and train leaders among the men.
• Judy Swamp shared insights into the qualities sought in leaders: honesty, compassion, family-oriented.

Jake Swamp's Message

• Jake Swamp shared experiences of promoting the Great Law of Peace globally.
• Importance of addressing grief for clarity in vision, hearing, and speech.
• Need for global unity and peace; discussed future plans for a gathering on the Mississippi River.

Historical Context

• Influence of Haudenosaunee governance on U.S. democracy.
• Importance of oral traditions in maintaining historical treaties and peace protocols.

Conclusion

• The event celebrated the teachings, cultural contributions, and ongoing influence of the Haudenosaunee people.
• Emphasis on teaching future generations about peace and environmental stewardship.
• Recognition of the Swamp family’s role in preserving and sharing these traditions.